Broken-ish

Roman Braly, Christopher Bennett
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Mental Health

We’re explorers. Broken-ish is a podcast about exploring the mess of being human - broken systems, messy relationships, divided communities - and the people building something better out of it. Each week, in 30 minutes or less, we sit down with voices who’ve lived the chaos, challenged the status quo, and are creating change from the ground up. Hard truths, real conversations, and sparks of possibility from a world that’s a little… Broken-ish.

  1. 2d ago

    Is Alcoholics Anonymous a CULT? | The Dark Side of Recovery

    Can a recovery group save your life and still be a cult? In this episode of Broken-ish, Roman Braly and Christopher Bennett tackle one of the most controversial questions in addiction recovery: Are 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous actually cults? Both Roman and Chris credit recovery communities with saving their lives. But what happens when mentorship turns into manipulation, trust becomes blind loyalty, and vulnerable people are taken advantage of? From sponsorship and power dynamics to the desperate human need to belong, this conversation challenges everything we think we know about recovery. Can something save your life and still be dangerous? #AlcoholicsAnonymous #AddictionRecovery #12StepRecovery #MentalHealth #Brokenish

    Is Alcoholics Anonymous a CULT? | The Dark Side of Recovery

  2. Oct 15

    The World Owes Me Nothing | From Foster Care to Finding Purpose

    Two kids. Broken homes. Foster care. Adoption. Gangs. Anger. Abandonment. And a lifetime of trying to figure out where they belong. In this episode of Broken-ish, Roman Braly sits down with Sergio for one of the most raw, honest conversations we've had yet. Both grew up surrounded by addiction, violence, and chaos. Both were taken from their biological families and eventually adopted into loving homes. Both spent years fighting anger, chasing acceptance, and trying to survive a world they didn't understand. And both eventually came to a realization that changed everything. The world doesn't owe me anything. We talk about childhood trauma, identity crises, gang life, incarceration, forgiveness, and the kind of love that can change someone's entire future. Sergio also opens up about losing his brother to alcoholism and how that loss helped him discover a purpose in helping others. This isn't a story about having it all figured out. It's about two grown men still trying to make sense of their past while becoming the people they were always capable of being. Sometimes the things that nearly destroy us become the very things that give our lives purpose. Welcome to Broken-ish. #BrokenishPodcast #FosterCare #ChildhoodTrauma #MentalHealth #FindingPurpose

    The World Owes Me Nothing | From Foster Care to Finding Purpose

  3. Oct 1

    What Makes Someone Truly Dangerous?

    What actually makes someone dangerous? Not violence. Not toughness. Not ego. Belief. In this episode of Broken-ish, Roman Braly and Christopher Bennett unpack what it means to become dangerous when you have an unshakable belief in something bigger than yourself. They talk about the constraints Ava Health has faced trying to change behavioral healthcare, what happens when the system doesn’t respond the way you thought it would, and why obstacles can either break you or force you to become more creative, strategic, patient, and relentless. The conversation gets personal too. Where does that level of belief come from? When does confidence become ego? What happens when insecurity fuels ambition? How much are you willing to sacrifice for something you believe in? And what does it mean to attach your identity to a mission when there’s no guarantee it works? Roman and Chris also dig into recovery, hopelessness, leadership, delayed gratification, the people behavioral healthcare continues to leave behind, and why meaningful change requires more than one loud voice. It takes people, organization, strategy, trust, and the willingness to keep moving when the path gets narrow. Maybe being dangerous isn’t about having nothing to lose. Maybe it’s about finally knowing exactly what you’re unwilling to give up. This is Dangerous. Subscribe to Broken-ish for real conversations about addiction, recovery, mental health, leadership, behavioral healthcare, and the beautifully broken parts of being human.

    What Makes Someone Truly Dangerous?

  4. Sep 23

    The game is the game

    What happens when the person sitting across from you reminds you of who you used to be? This episode of Rome’s Reveille is a real conversation about addiction, incarceration, recovery, identity, and second chances. I’ve lived the chaos. Today, life looks different. But I haven’t forgotten that early version of me. Keep going. You have no idea who you might become if you survive long enough to meet yourself. Real stories. A brighter tomorrow.

    The game is the game

  5. Aug 19

    Recovery After Trauma: A Powerful Story of Hope

    She ran away at 12 years old. She survived rape, addiction, homelessness, losing her children, multiple suicide attempts, and decades of pain. Today, she's been in recovery for 13 years and spends her life helping others find hope. How do you survive that much trauma without completely breaking? In this episode of Brokenish, we sit down with one of Grand Junction's most respected recovery advocates for an honest conversation about childhood trauma, addiction, relapse, faith, and finding purpose after losing nearly everything. She shares what it was like to run away from home at 12, navigate foster care, experience sexual assault, battle addiction for decades, lose custody of her children, survive multiple suicide attempts, and ultimately discover a reason to keep living. This episode is for anyone who has ever wondered: Can someone really recover after years of addiction?Is it possible to heal from childhood trauma?What keeps someone going after losing everything?Can faith and purpose actually change a life?One of the most powerful moments comes when she says: "I don't say I'll never get high again. I just say... not today." Her story is proof that no one is too far gone and that recovery is possible, no matter where you've been. If this conversation encouraged you, please like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who needs to hear this story today. Subscribe for more real conversations about addiction, mental health, recovery, and the people proving that healing is possible. Follow Ava Health 🌐 www.HelloAvaHealth.com Listen to Brokenish 🎙️ Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. #Brokenish #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #Sobriety #TraumaRecovery #Healing #Faith #Hope #Podcast #AvaHealth

    Recovery After Trauma: A Powerful Story of Hope

  6. Aug 6

    The Next Addiction Is Already Here... And Nobody Is Ready | Jonathan DeCarlo

    When we think about addiction, we usually think about substances. But what if the next addiction is already here? In this episode of Broken-ish, Christopher Bennett sits down with behavioral health leader Jonathan DeCarlo to explore the future of mental health, AI, human connection, and recovery. Together, they discuss why hospitality belongs in healthcare, why restoring our humanity matters, and how technology is reshaping the way we live, connect, and heal. If you care about mental health, addiction recovery, or where our world is headed, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. #Brokenish #MentalHealth #AddictionRecovery #AI #BehavioralHealth

    The Next Addiction Is Already Here... And Nobody Is Ready | Jonathan DeCarlo

  7. Jul 30

    I Answered Your Toughest Questions | Recovery, Leadership & The Truth About Ava Health

    In this special solo episode of Broken-ish, Roman answers questions from listeners, staff, and the community. From his own recovery journey and what led him into behavioral health to the biggest lies addiction tells us, what recovery actually feels like, and the mission behind Ava Health, this is an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about hope, leadership, and the people fighting to change lives.

    I Answered Your Toughest Questions | Recovery, Leadership & The Truth About Ava Health

  8. Jul 22

    Life Has Never Been Easier... So Why Is Everyone Miserable?

    What if the very thing we're chasing is the reason so many of us feel empty? Life has never been more convenient. Food arrives in minutes. AI can think for us. Entertainment never stops. Yet anxiety, depression, loneliness, and addiction continue to rise. In this episode of Broken-ish, Roman Braly and Chris Bennett unpack the "comfort crisis" and ask a question that could change the way you see your life: Has comfort become our biggest obstacle to happiness? They dive into why discomfort creates purpose, how social media and AI can either make us stronger or weaker, why boredom might be one of the healthiest things we've lost, and why every meaningful thing in life exists on the other side of doing hard things. The conversation also explores parenting, emotional resilience, recovery, and the uncomfortable truth that growth has never come from staying safe. If you've ever felt stuck, unmotivated, anxious, or wondered why life feels harder even though it's easier than ever, this episode is for you. 👍 Subscribe for honest conversations about addiction, mental health, recovery, and becoming the person you're meant to be. #MentalHealth #SelfImprovement #AddictionRecovery #ComfortZone #AI #Motivation #BrokenishPodcast #PersonalGrowth #Psychology #Recovery

    Life Has Never Been Easier... So Why Is Everyone Miserable?
See All (41)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

We’re explorers. Broken-ish is a podcast about exploring the mess of being human - broken systems, messy relationships, divided communities - and the people building something better out of it. Each week, in 30 minutes or less, we sit down with voices who’ve lived the chaos, challenged the status quo, and are creating change from the ground up. Hard truths, real conversations, and sparks of possibility from a world that’s a little… Broken-ish.

Information

  • Creator
    Roman Braly, Christopher Bennett
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Broken-ish , Ava Health 2025
  • Show Website
    Broken-ish